Travels with Edna and Papi: Manatees, Noseeums. NASA and next week- Cumberland Island, Kings Bay, GA.

Patrick's AFB and Manatees

Staying at military bases (when we can) works for us because they're safe, quiet, inexpensive and most of their RV parks are nice, but as we ventured towards Patrick's AFB (just outside Cape Canaveral and Spacex) we knew they didn't take reservations and it was first come, first serve. As we're driving on the freeway, we spotted RVers with a sticker stating they were retired Marines, hence my words to Perry "STEP ON IT"! We wanted to be sure to get a space at the popular Florida RV spot and the race was on! We arrived at Patrick AFB and got our space without seeing the Retired Marine traveler. It was a back-in spot (still not easy like a pull-through), with our new neighbor helping to guide us in.
Once again another beautiful Florida location right next to Cocoa Beach that lead us to explore the area. We were drawn to the beaches, coastal drives and fresh seafood (and a local flea market)! A fellow RVer suggested going to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, a 7 mile one way drive. The drive took us along many different types of mangroves (a type of bush) that live in the marsh, as well as many different species of birds and YES, more alligators. Upon exiting the drive alongside of the road was a 9 foot alligator. It stared at us with it's mean eyes as we stopped to take its picture.

A park ranger informed us of a place to view manatees just a few miles from where we were.
In my somewhat sheltered and non-educated wildlife life, I never knew what a manatee was until I was married. Perry had always been intrigued by this "sea cow" and while we were in Florida (a manatee state) , we found just the spot. A bridge was being worked on over the Mosquito Lagoon and this seemed to be a gathering place for several manatees. Perry and I were excited to see the plant-eating mammals surface to breathe. We saw a female manatee and her two babies and later learned they can reach 1,000 pounds as adults and weigh 60-80 pounds at birth. From our own private, small viewing area of the manatees we could also see in the distance where the shuttle lands. We didn't have enough time to tour Spacex and NASA but to be able to see where the shuttles are launched was a surreal feeling!

Amelia Island, Fla.
Like many states we've been to, Florida has so much to see and explore. Amelia Island is one of those with many more trails, swamps and cute towns. We found a trail near the beach with no one in sight except a turtle and many alligator warning signs. It took us along several eerie swamp lands where the trees were so thick you couldn't see the sun. It's extremely quiet environment (minus the sound of a bird or two), made it seem like an alligator could "pop" out any minute for lunch. As I led the pack out of that hike, we made our way to town for our lunch. Perry researched "dog friendly" places to eat and came across "Lulu's" with great reviews. I was NOT buying it as we approached an old house with a converted garage turned restaurant. Our server was from California and suggested we try the Shrimp and Grits. I was pleasantly surprised by it's unassuming facade and outstanding food and the dogs were treated with lots of attention by our server. A great find and end to our day!

Noseeums!
On this trip, not only have I learned about manatees, birds and alligators but being a California girl I learned the hard way what a noseeum is! While in Florida I was attacked by what I thought were mosquitoes, but yet not seeing any flying around or landing on me Perry said, "Oh, they're probably noseeums"! He likes to joke a lot and I thought this was another of his "trying to pull a fast one". I had red swollen bites all over me that looked like a typical mosquito bite but it wasn't until talking to a neighbor that I was convinced that's what it was....noseeums!! My itchy, bitten body did NOT like these little critters and even applying different products didn't seem to make a difference. A couple told me to hang a dryer sheet in the fifth wheel and rub it on my skin (supposedly they don't like the smell). Tried it with no luck! They are a very small (barely visible) insect that bites and unlike a mosquito, doesn't suck blood. Maybe there won't be any noseeums in Georgia (our next destination) but being on a lake, one can only hope?!

Kings Bay, Georgia here we come!

NEXT-The amazing Cumberland Island and Kings Bay, Ga.